Steve Kramer grew up in Atlantic City, graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1967, adopted the hippie lifestyle until 1973, then joined the family business for 15 years. Steve moved to Israel from Margate, NJ in 1991 with his family. He has written more than 1100 articles about Israel and Jews since making Aliyah. Steve and his wife Michal live in Kfar Saba.
By Steve Kramer ZICHRON YAACOV, Israel — It was on a beautiful spring day that our hiking group set off from a spot adjacent to a “winter pond,” a low-lying area which becomes a pond only during the (hopefully) rainy winter, drying up soon after winter ends. We were near Israel’s Mediterranean coast, not […]
Hiking in the Carmel Hills Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, Travel and FoodBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –In a recent speech to a Jewish audience, Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated, “We are running out of time [for the 2-state peace solution]. We are running out of possibilities.” How many times have we heard this tired refrain? I disagree with Kerry (and others) and continue to
Post- Kerry, Israel should stay the course Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
By Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — This week, Israel is celebrating its 66th year of independence as the Jewish State. The accomplishments of Israelis throughout this period and in the years leading up to Israel’s independence are unequaled. What other nation has achieved its freedom despite being surrounded by countries unalterably opposed to its
A check-up for Israel on its 66th birthday Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
By Steve Kramer TEL AVIV — Did you know that metropolitan Tel Aviv has a park that is bigger than New York’s Central Park? Or, that the park’s most unique feature is a mountain of trash? That’s what you’ll find at recently opened Ariel Sharon Park, almost 2,000 acres of reclaimed land, located in Israel’s
Israel boasts a beautiful park carved from trash Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, The World We Share, Travel and FoodBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — There is a possibility that Israel, alone, might have to interdict Iran’s atomic weapons project. However, a distinguished expert on Iran at Tel Aviv University thinks that is unlikely. I heard Professor Litvak at the monthly lecture sponsored by the English Speaking Friends of TAU. Meir Litvak is
Being on nuclear verge may suit Iran’s political goals Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Stephen Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — After the latest collapse of negotiations with the Palestinians, Ya’ir Lapid, Israel’s Minister of Finance and leader of the left of Center Yesh Atid (There is a Future) political party, said that the extreme Right prefers to wait for the Messiah instead of reaching a solution. Will it
Many Mideastern scenarios are possible Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Numerous times over the past 17 years our town of Alfe Menashe has hosted members of the large Wisconsin church, Christ the Rock. Every two or three years the church, under the leadership of Bill Lenz, brings a busload of congregants to the Holy Land. The wife of our
Christians visit strategic Israeli town Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –In an article published in April 2009, I wrote the following [with added comments]: “Iran couldn’t be more blatant in calling for Israel’s destruction. This it proclaims loud and clear, from many venues, including New York City, home of the United Nations. That Iran also wishes to destroy America
Iran’s nuclear program, then and now Read More »
Middle East, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –What’s significant about October, 1943? During that month the Danes carried out an unprecedented rescue of Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps. Werner Bachmann recently told a rapt audience at a recent Forgotten People Fund luncheon in Netanya, “I was meant to be one of those murdered by
Denmark’s once-proud history recalled Read More »
International, Jewish History, Steve KramerBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — I’ve written several times about America’s shrinking international stature. President Obama is leading the charge in this direction, which is a product of the growing energy independence of North America and the growing inclination of Americans to withdraw from troublesome situations far from home. Obviously, this “pivot,” to
America’s Mideast reversal pays Russia dividends Read More »
International, Steve Kramer
By Steven Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –Those familiar with my articles have become accustomed to reading relatively detailed descriptions of our short visits all over Israel. What if you are planning a 10-day trip to Israel, with so much to see? It’s hard to work out and choose an itinerary. Linda, my wife Michal’s sister,
Sightseeing and eating through Israel Read More »
Steve Kramer, Travel and FoodBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel–Avi Shavit is a native-born Israeli Zionist and peace activist. He is also a respected columnist for Ha’aretz newspaper, Israel’s most left wing newspaper. A leading Israeli author, Shavit published his best-selling My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel in 2013. It has become a bestseller. Here’s an
‘My Promised Land,’ well written but uneven Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
By Steve Kramer KIBBUTZ GESHER, Israel — Michal and I recently joined a full busload of hikers for a wonderful 8-mile trek sponsored by the English Speaking Residents Association (www.esra.org.il). It was just before Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish new year for trees. We couldn’t have picked a more perfect day to be among the hills,
A Jordan Valley hike to Kibbutz Gesher Read More »
Steve Kramer, Travel and FoodSecond of Series By Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel –There are wide cultural differences between the religious Arab world and the secular Western world, which most Western countries fail to comprehend. Surprisingly, the West refuses to recognize that the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) is an Islamist organization which promotes an Islamic takeover throughout Arabia and then
Getting a handle on new Middle East, Part II Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer